When to start TTC?

[Clettercletterthatsbetter]

I know I’m asking you to crystal ball gaze here, but when should I start TTC?

We have three DCs - DC1 was unplanned (we’d planned to have a baby but not yet and we weren’t actively trying), DCs 2 and 3 were each conceived on the second month of trying. I don’t mean to upset anyone who is struggling to conceive by saying that - I appreciate we’ve been incredibly fortunate thus far.

I know that all sounds positive but I’ll be 37 this summer, which is 5 years older than I was when we conceived DC3, and I’ve scared myself with all the stats on declining egg quality and increased miscarriage rates after 35.

Ideally we’d like a baby to be born around April-August 2024, and I was thinking we’d start to try in July this year. But given my age (and DH is almost 44), would you try earlier in my position?

Yes, although having had three babies already your odds are somewhat higher compared to someone whos never been pregnant before

What would happen if you started earlier it worked and the baby came before the dates you say?!
Thy specifically this time frame?! That’s the real question?

Hi OP,
Why have you chosen Apr-Aug 24 out of interest? Would it make things tricky if you conceived earlier?
I am 33 but conceived DD when I was 22 on second cycle, and DS when I was 30 on first cycle, so incredibly lucky that it happened quickly for us both times. We are getting ready TTC DC3 and starting trying end of Feb (due to financial reasons), my DH is also 44 so we don’t want to delay much longer, but also wonder if it could take a bit longer than before. following with interest! And really hope it works out for you x

April-Aug (well, May-July really) is very much an ideal - obviously I’d be ecstatic to be able to conceive at any time! However, those months would work well as it would enable me to have two school summer holidays periods falling in my mat leave, which would be great as I’d get extra time with all the kids and we wouldn’t have to fund summer clubs/nursery!

I don’t want to get pregnant too soon as I’m in a temporary, more senior role (more money) at work, which should hopefully be made permanent this summer (the role is temporary but my employment is permanent, in case anyone thinks I’m risking getting pregnant in a temp job that might be terminated!).

@LovelyBitOfSquirrelll May I ask how old you are this time around? And I really hope it works out for you too! X

It’s so hard to say as loads of 37 year olds conceive with no issues and loads struggle. There’s no way to know which side you will fall in.

I have just turned 38. I had my daughter when I was 30 and wasn’t ttc and would only have dtd once in the fertile week. We wasn’t really having much sex at that time once a fortnight max so conceived her very easily. I started ttc again for my second in June. Nothing for 5 cycles then I had an early miscarriage/CP at just under 5 weeks then the next cycle had another early miscarriage/CP again at just under 5 weeks then in December I got pregnant again and am now 7 weeks tomorrow constantly worrying about another miscarriage. I have no idea if these were because of my age but I know it could be as miscarriage rates go up after 35. It’s clear I have no issues conceiving but I just want a healthy pregnancy and baby

@Clettercletterthatsbetter i am 33 this time, so I know I’m under 35, but still have a niggling feeling that things might not go as smoothly. I have had some health issues since I had my DS in 2020, so worried if that might have an impact too.
DS gets his free hours at nursery from next Jan, so we are hoping for a birth from November onwards this year, but then navigating Christmas makes me feel a bit anxious- but what will be, will be!